Improvement in hand corn-planters



2 Sheets-She et l.

J. DOWNING.

HAND CORN PLANTER.

'Patented Sept. 5,1875.

ATTEJRNE INVENTDR n 2O WITNEEEEE: j .@@M

MFEERS, PIIOTO-LITNOGRAPHEH. WASNINGYON, D C.

2 Sheets-Sheet Z. J. DOWNING.

HAND CORN PLANTER. No. 181,825. Patented Sept. 5', 1876.

WITNEEEEEI; Ilm/ENTER:

JM., FEF Z/ r//f/ /7 ATTDHNEY.

N-PETERS. PHDTOL|THOGRAPHEH, WASHINGTON. DC.

UNITED STATES PATENT EETCE JASON DOWNINGq-OF NEW MADISON, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN HAND CORN-PLANTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 181,825, dated September 5, 1876 application filed April 20, 1876.

To alt whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAsoN DOWNING, of New Madison, in the county of Drake and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hand Corn-Planters,

of which the following is a specication:

The nature of my invention consists in the construction and arrangement of a walking corn-planter, as Will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, referring to the annexed drawings, which forni a part of this specilication, and in which- Figure l is a longitudinal vertical section of my corn-planter. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of'the dropping-slide. Fig. 3 is a Section ofthe grain-box, and Fig. i is a front View ofthe machine. Fig. 5 is a bottom view 0f the adjustable slide l, showing the loop w attached thereto. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sec- "tion of the same.

A represents a stan, with a handle, B, at the top, for carrying in the hand of the oper ator, walking along the ground somewhat in the manner ofcarrying a cane. C is the grainbox attached to the staff A, and having its sides made of thin sheet metal, making it both stronger and lighter than wood. D is the hollow tube, through which the corn passes from the grain-box into the shoe E at the lower end of the staff. This tube is made square, and hence tits the shoe and feed-bar better than if made round, as is usually the case. E is `the front plate ofthe shoe, attached to a lever, Gr, which is pivoted between the sides of the shoe. On the front of the statt' A is secured a curved rod, c, which passes through a hole in the upper end of the lever G, and has a spiral spring, b, around it, between said lever and staff, to throw the upper end of the lever forward and close the shoe. On the inner side ofthe lever G is an elongated staple, d. on which is attached the dropping-slide H, passing through bottom of the grain-box C. This slide or feedbar H has an aperture, a', to receive the corn Within the box, and convey it and discharge it into the tube D, said aperture being adjustable-that is, can be enlarged or diminished, as required, to plant more or less corn in a hillby means of a movable slide, I, fastened by a pin, c, through its rear end into any one of a series of holes in the feed-bar. The pin e, holding this adjusting-slide, cannot slip and change the feed, which is often the case where screws are used to regulate similar feedbars. The adjustable slide I is provided with a loop, w, which receives the pin 1, and holds the same in position. Ou the inside o the seed-box G is a brass spring, h, used in place of rubber or brush for a cut-oli', which spring divides the corn better, and is not livable to get out of order. To the front of the lever G are attached two curved arms or braces, m m, to the front ends of which is secured a brass ferrule or tube, J, as shown, which is much lighter than the Wooden balls of the same size.

The planter is 'operated by walking as with a cane, the brass ferrule, tube, or ball J being pressed iirmly until the spiral spring b becomes folded. The planter is then raised quickly, when the spring closes the shoe again, and so on for every step. On the front plate E of the shoe is a gage, L, to regulate the depth of planting.

This planter may be used for planting broomcorn and cane seed, as well as ordinary corn, in a perfect and correct manner.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination of the curved lod a, surrounded by a spiral spring, b, with the staff A and lever Gr, substantially as shown and described.

2. The adjustable slide I, provided with a loop, w, which receives the pin y of the feedbar H, substantially in tbe manner and for the purposes set fort-h.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I aflx my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JASON DOWN ING. 

